Mobile terminal and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal and a control method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal according to one exemplary embodiment includes a main body covering at least one area of a wrist, a display disposed on a front surface of the main body, a sensing unit configured to sense flatness of the wrist and a direction that the wrist faces, and a controller configured to select a display area for displaying screen information on the display based on the flatness of the wrist and the direction that the wrist faces, sensed by the sensing unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates to a mobile terminal, and particularly, to amobile terminal capable of being worn around a wrist, and a controlmethod thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Terminals may be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationaryterminals according to their mobility. Also, the mobile terminals may beclassified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals accordingto whether or not a user can directly carry.

As it becomes multifunctional, a mobile terminal can be allowed tocapture still images or moving images, play music or video files, playgames, receive broadcast and the like, so as to be implemented as anintegrated multimedia player. Many efforts include not only changes andimprovement of structural components implementing a mobile terminal butalso software improvement to support and improve functions of theterminal.

With the improvement, the terminal has been evolved into designs ofvarious shapes. Accordingly, a flexible display is in the limelight inview of its light weight and infrangible property. The flexible displaymay derive creation of new user interface areas to which theconventional glass substrate-based displays have been limitedly appliedor unable to be applied. As the flexible display is highlighted, needsof user interfaces using the properties of the flexible display areincreasing.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a mobileterminal, capable of improving user convenience in displaying screeninformation on a display of a mobile terminal worn around a user'swrist, and a control method thereof.

Solution to Problem

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, thereis provided a mobile terminal including a main body covering at leastone area of a wrist, a display disposed on a front surface of the mainbody, a sensing unit configured to sense flatness of the wrist and adirection that the wrist faces, and a controller configured to select adisplay area for displaying screen information on the display based onthe flatness of the wrist and the direction that the wrist faces, sensedby the sensing unit.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display may include aflexible display capable of being curved to cover the at least one areaof the wrist.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the sensing unit may includea flatness sensing sensor disposed on one surface of the display, tomeasure the flatness of the wrist by a preset time interval.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the sensing unit may includeat least one of a terrestrial magnetism sensor, a gyro sensor and anacceleration sensor configured to measure the direction that the wristfaces by the preset time interval, and the controller may control thedisplay to change the display area for displaying the screen informationon the display according to the direction that the wrist faces.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may controlthe display to change a display direction of the screen informationdisplayed on the display area according to the direction that the wristfaces.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the sensing unit may includea plurality of camera sensors disposed on different positions of thedisplay, and the controller may control the display to change thedisplay area for displaying the screen information on the display basedon a user's eyes, sensed by the camera sensors.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may changethe display area for displaying the screen information on the displaybased on the flatness of the wrist and the direction that the wristfaces, sensed by the sensing unit, when a movement of the wrist issensed.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may change aposition, a size and a shape of the display area for displaying thescreen information.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display may output astatus bar for displaying a current work status, and the controller maydisplay the status bar on one side of the display area in a fixed state.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display may output firstscreen information including the status bar on a first display area,selected based on the flatness of the wrist and the direction that thewrist faces, and the controller may display second screen informationrelated to the status bar on the first display area when a touch inputis sensed on the status bar. Also, the controller may select one areaadjacent to the first display area as a second display area, and displaythe first screen information on the second display area.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may controlan operation involved with the first screen information displayed on thefirst display area, in response to a movement of the wrist sensed by thesensing unit.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may select atouch point as a display area based on a touch input sensed on thedisplay.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may select aplurality of touch points as a plurality of display areas when aplurality of touch inputs are sensed on the display, and display thesame screen information on the plurality of display areas.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display may output anexecution screen of an application, which is being executed on aforeground, on the first display area while a plurality of applicationsare multitasked. The controller may select one area adjacent to thefirst display area as a second display area based on a touch inputsensed on the display, and display an execution screen of anapplication, which is being executed on a background, on the seconddisplay area.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may swap thescreen information displayed on the first and second display areas witheach other, in response to a movement of the wrist sensed by the sensingunit.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller may terminatethe displaying of the screen information on at least one of the firstand second display areas, based a touch input sensed on the display.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display may output aplurality of images on the first display area. The controller may selecta plurality of areas including the first display area, based on a touchinput sensed on the display, and display the plurality of images on theplurality of display areas.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display may outputscreen information including at least one icon, which corresponds to atleast one application, on the first display area. The controller mayselect one area adjacent to the first display area as a second displayarea when one of the at least one icons is selected, and display anexecution screen of an application corresponding to the selected icon onthe second display area.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display may output acontact information list including contact items on the first displayarea. The controller may select one area adjacent to the first displayarea as a second display area based on a touch input sensed on one ofthe contact items, and display a shortcut menu corresponding to thetouched contact item on the second display area.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, thereis provided a control method for a mobile terminal, in a control methodfor a mobile terminal comprising a main body to cover at least one areaof a wrist, and a display disposed on a front surface of the main body,the method including sensing flatness of the wrist and a direction thatthe wrist faces, and selecting a display area for displaying screeninformation on the display based on the flatness of the wrist and thedirection that the wrist faces sensed.

Further scope of applicability of the present application will becomemore apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However,it should be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The mobile terminal may display the screen information on the portionthat the user faces on the display by considering the user's eyes. Thismay result in improvement of user convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with oneexemplary embodiment of this specification;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual views of a communication system operablewith the mobile terminal;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are conceptual views illustrating a flexible displayincluded in the mobile terminal;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a mobileterminal in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of thisspecification;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation that adisplay area to display screen information changes according to adirection that a wrist faces;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation that adisplay direction of screen information changes according to thedirection that the wrist faces;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of adisplay when a touch input is sensed on a status display bar displayedon the display;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation that anoperation involved with screen information is controlled according to amovement of the wrist;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation that adisplay area to display screen information changes according to a touchinput onto the display;

FIGS. 10 to 12 are conceptual views illustrating exemplary operations ofthe display when a touch input is sensed on the display;

FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of thedisplay when a touch input is sensed on the display in a state that aplurality of images are displayed;

FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of thedisplay when a touch input is sensed on an icon output on the display;

FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of thedisplay when a touch input is sensed on a contact item output on thedisplay; and

FIGS. 16 to 18 are conceptual views, respectively, illustrating anexemplary operation of the display when an event is generated.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail according to the exemplaryembodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sakeof brief description with reference to the drawings, the same orequivalent components will be provided with the same reference numbers,and description thereof will not be repeated. A suffix “module” or“unit” used for constituent elements disclosed in the followingdescription is merely intended for easy description of thespecification, and the suffix itself does not give any special meaningor function. In describing the present invention, if a detailedexplanation for a related known function or construction is consideredto unnecessarily divert the gist of the present disclosure, suchexplanation has been omitted but would be understood by those skilled inthe art. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understoodthe technical idea of the present invention and it should be understoodthat the idea of the present disclosure is not limited by theaccompanying drawings.

Mobile terminals described herein may include cellular phones, smartphones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs),navigators, slate PCs, tablet PC, ultra books and the like. However, itmay be easily understood by those skilled in the art that theconfiguration according to the exemplary embodiments of thisspecification can be applied to stationary terminals such as digital TV,desktop computers and the like excluding a case of being applicable onlyto the mobile terminals.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 in accordance withone exemplary embodiment.

The mobile terminal 100 may comprise components, such as a wirelesscommunication unit 110, an Audio/Video (AN) input unit 120, a user inputunit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, aninterface unit 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190 and the like.FIG. 1 shows the mobile terminal 100 having various components, but itis understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is nota requirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively beimplemented.

Hereinafter, each component 110 to 190 is described in sequence.

The wireless communication unit 110 may typically include one or moremodules which permit wireless communications between the mobile terminal100 and a wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal100 and a network within which the mobile terminal 100 is located. Forexample, the wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one ofa broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, awireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, alocation information module 115 and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and/orbroadcast associated information from an external broadcast managingentity via a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrialchannel. The broadcast managing entity may indicate a server whichgenerates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associatedinformation or a server which receives a pre-generated broadcast signaland/or broadcast associated information and sends them to the mobileterminal. The broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV broadcastsignal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, amongothers. The broadcast signal may further include a data broadcast signalcombined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

Examples of broadcast associated information may include informationassociated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcastservice provider, and the like. The broadcast associated information maybe provided via a mobile communication network, and received by themobile communication module 112.

The broadcast associated information may be implemented in variousformats. For instance, broadcast associated information may includeElectronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB),Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld(DVB-H), and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to receive digitalbroadcast signals transmitted from various types of broadcast systems.Such broadcast systems may include Digital MultimediaBroadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital MultimediaBroadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO),Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), Integrated Services DigitalBroadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) and the like. The broadcast receivingmodule 111 may be configured to be suitable for every broadcast systemtransmitting broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcastingsystems.

Broadcast signals and/or broadcast associated information received viathe broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in a suitable device,such as a memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives wireless signalsto/from at least one of network entities (e.g., base station, anexternal mobile terminal, a server, etc.) on a mobile communicationnetwork. Here, the wireless signals may include audio call signal, video(telephony) call signal, or various formats of data according totransmission/reception of text/multimedia messages.

The mobile communication module 112 may implement a video call mode anda voice call mode. The video call mode indicates a state of calling withwatching a callee's image. The voice call mode indicates a state ofcalling without watching the callee's image. The wireless communicationmodule 112 may transmit and receive at least one of voice and image inorder to implement the video call mode and the voice call mode.

The wireless Internet module 113 supports wireless Internet access forthe mobile terminal. This module may be internally or externally coupledto the mobile terminal 100. Examples of such wireless Internet accessmay include Wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro),Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High SpeedDownlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and the like.

The short-range communication module 114 denotes a module forshort-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing thismodule may include BLUETOOTH™, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID),Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee™, NearField Communication (NFC) and the like.

The location information module 115 denotes a module for detecting orcalculating a position of a mobile terminal. An example of the locationinformation module 115 may include a Global Position System (GPS)module.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the A/V input unit 120 is configured toprovide audio or video signal input to the mobile terminal. The A/Vinput unit 120 may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera121 receives and processes image frames of still pictures or videoobtained by image sensors in a video call mode or a capturing mode. Theprocessed image frames may be displayed on a display unit 151.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory160 or transmitted to the exterior via the wireless communication unit110. Also, user's position information and the like may be calculatedfrom the image frames acquired by the camera 121. Two or more cameras121 may be provided according to the configuration of the mobileterminal.

The microphone 122 may receive an external audio signal while the mobileterminal is in a particular mode, such as a phone call mode, a recordingmode, a voice recognition mode, or the like. This audio signal isprocessed into digital data. The processed digital data is converted foroutput into a format transmittable to a mobile communication basestation via the mobile communication module 112 in case of the phonecall mode. The microphone 122 may include assorted noise removingalgorithms to remove noise generated in the course of receiving theexternal audio signal.

The user input unit 130 may generate input data input by a user tocontrol the operation of the mobile terminal. The user input unit 130may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., staticpressure/capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch and the like.

The sensing unit 140 provides status measurements of various aspects ofthe mobile terminal. For instance, the sensing unit 140 may detect anopen/close status of the mobile terminal, a change in a location of themobile terminal 100, a presence or absence of user contact with themobile terminal 100, the location of the mobile terminal 100,acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal 100, and the like, soas to generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of themobile terminal 100. For example, regarding a slide-type mobileterminal, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether a sliding portion ofthe mobile terminal is open or closed. Other examples include sensingfunctions, such as the sensing unit 140 sensing the presence or absenceof power provided by the power supply 190, the presence or absence of acoupling or other connection between the interface unit 170 and anexternal device.

The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, a stereoscopictouch sensor 142, an ultrasonic wave sensor 143 and a camera sensor 144.The sensing unit 140 may be implemented as a three-dimensional (3D)sensor which detects a location of a moving object (hereinafter,referred to ‘target to be sensed’), which is present in a 3D space.Here, the target to be sensed, for example, may be a user's body (e.g.,finger), an accessory or the like.

The output unit 150 is configured to output an audio signal, a videosignal or a tactile signal. The output unit 150 may include a displayunit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153 and a hapticmodule 154.

The display unit 151 may output information processed in the mobileterminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is operating in aphone call mode, the display unit 151 will provide a User Interface (UI)or a Graphic User Interface (GUI), which includes information associatedwith the call. As another example, if the mobile terminal is in a videocall mode or a capturing mode, the display unit 151 may additionally oralternatively display images captured and/or received, UI, or GUI.

The display unit 151 may be implemented using, for example, at least oneof a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-Liquid CrystalDisplay (TFT-LCD), an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), a flexibledisplay, a three-dimensional (3D) display, an e-ink display or the like.

Some of such displays 151 may be implemented as a transparent type or anoptical transparent type through which the exterior is visible, which isreferred to as ‘transparent display’. A representative example of thetransparent display may include a Transparent OLED (TOLED), and thelike. The rear surface of the display unit 151 may also be implementedto be optically transparent. Under this configuration, a user can viewan object positioned at a rear side of a terminal body through a regionoccupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may be implemented in two or more in numberaccording to a configured aspect of the mobile terminal 100. Forinstance, a plurality of the displays 151 may be arranged on one surfaceto be spaced apart from or integrated with each other, or may bearranged on different surfaces.

Here, if the display unit 151 and a touch sensitive sensor (referred toas a touch sensor) have a layered structure therebetween (referred to asa ‘touch screen’), the display unit 151 may be used as an input deviceas well as an output device. The touch sensor may be implemented as atouch film, a touch sheet, a touchpad, and the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of a pressureapplied to a specific part of the display unit 151, or a capacitanceoccurring from a specific part of the display unit 151, into electricinput signals. Also, the touch sensor may be configured to sense notonly a touched position and a touched area, but also touch pressure.Here, a touch object is an object to apply a touch input onto the touchsensor. Examples of the touch object may include a finger, a touch pen,a stylus pen, a pointer or the like.

When touch inputs are sensed by the touch sensors, corresponding signalsare transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller processesthe received signals, and then transmits corresponding data to thecontroller 180. Accordingly, the controller 180 may sense which regionof the display unit 151 has been touched.

Still referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be arranged at aninner region of the mobile terminal 100 covered by the touch screen, ornear the touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 may be provided as oneexample of the sensing unit 140. The proximity sensor 141 indicates asensor to sense presence or absence of an object approaching to asurface to be sensed, or an object disposed near a surface to be sensed,by using an electromagnetic field or infrared rays without a mechanicalcontact. The proximity sensor 141 has a longer lifespan and a moreenhanced utility than a contact sensor.

The proximity sensor 141 may include a transmissive type photoelectricsensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, a mirrorreflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillationproximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic typeproximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, and so on. When thetouch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, proximity of apointer to the touch screen is sensed by changes of an electromagneticfield. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be categorizedinto a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for the sake of brief explanation, a status that thepointer is positioned to be proximate onto the touch screen withoutcontact will be referred to as ‘proximity touch’, whereas a status thatthe pointer substantially comes in contact with the touch screen will bereferred to as ‘contact touch’. For the position corresponding to theproximity touch of the pointer on the touch screen, such positioncorresponds to a position where the pointer faces perpendicular to thetouch screen upon the proximity touch of the pointer.

The proximity sensor 141 senses proximity touch, and proximity touchpatterns (e.g., distance, direction, speed, time, position, movingstatus, etc.). Information relating to the sensed proximity touch andthe sensed proximity touch patterns may be output onto the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may convert and output as sound audio datareceived from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in thememory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a record mode,a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like.Also, the audio output module 152 may provide audible outputs related toa particular function performed by the mobile terminal 100 (e.g., a callsignal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.). The audiooutput module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer or the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for informing about an occurrence ofan event of the mobile terminal 100. Events generated in the mobileterminal may include call signal reception, message reception, keysignal inputs, a touch input etc. In addition to video or audio signals,the alarm unit 153 may output signals in a different manner, forexample, using vibration to inform about an occurrence of an event. Thevideo or audio signals may be also outputted via the audio output module152, so the display unit 151 and the audio output module 152 may beclassified as parts of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects which a user canfeel. A representative example of the tactile effects generated by thehaptic module 154 includes vibration. Vibration generated by the hapticmodule 154 may have a controllable intensity, a controllable pattern,and so on. For instance, different vibration may be output in asynthesized manner or in a sequential manner.

The haptic module 154 may generate various tactile effects, includingnot only vibration, but also arrangement of pins vertically moving withrespect to a skin being touched (contacted), air injection force or airsuction force through an injection hole or a suction hole, touch by askin surface, presence or absence of contact with an electrode, effectsby stimulus such as an electrostatic force, reproduction of cold or hotfeeling using a heat absorbing device or a heat emitting device, and thelike.

The haptic module 154 may be configured to transmit tactile effects(signals) through a user's direct contact, or a user's muscular senseusing a finger or a hand. The haptic module 154 may be implemented intwo or more in number according to the configuration of the mobileterminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the processing and control of thecontroller 180. Alternatively, the memory 160 may temporarily storeinput/output data (e.g., phonebook data, messages, still images, videoand the like). Also, the memory 160 may store data related to variouspatterns of vibrations and audio output upon the touch input on thetouch screen.

The memory 160 may be implemented using any type of suitable storagemedium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimediacard micro type, a memory card type (e.g., SD or DX memory), RandomAccess Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-OnlyMemory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory(EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), magnetic memory,magnetic disk, optical disk, and the like. Also, the mobile terminal 100may operate a web storage which performs the storage function of thememory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 may generally be implemented to interface themobile terminal with external devices. The interface unit 170 may allowa data reception from an external device, a power delivery to eachcomponent in the mobile terminal 100, or a data transmission from themobile terminal 100 to an external device. The interface unit 170 mayinclude, for example, wired/wireless headset ports, external chargerports, wired/wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for couplingdevices having an identification module, audio Input/Output (I/O) ports,video I/O ports, earphone ports, and the like.

The identification module may be configured as a chip for storingvarious information required to authenticate an authority to use themobile terminal 100, which may include a User Identity Module (UIM), aSubscriber Identity Module (SIM), and the like. Also, the device havingthe identification module (hereinafter, referred to as ‘identificationdevice’) may be implemented in a type of smart card. Hence, theidentification device can be coupled to the mobile terminal 100 via aport.

Also, the interface unit 170 may serve as a path for power to besupplied from an external cradle to the mobile terminal 100 when themobile terminal 100 is connected to the external cradle or as a path fortransferring various command signals input from the cradle by a user tothe mobile terminal 100. Such various command signals or power inputfrom the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobileterminal 100 has accurately been mounted to the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operations of themobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180 performs thecontrol and processing associated with telephony calls, datacommunications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 mayinclude a multimedia module 181 which provides multimedia playback. Themultimedia module 181 may be configured as part of the controller 180 oras a separate component.

The controller 180 can perform a pattern recognition processing so as torecognize writing or drawing input on the touch screen as text or image.

The controller 180 may also execute a lock state in which a user isrestricted from inputting a control command for applications when astate of the mobile terminal meets a set condition. Also, the controller180 may control a lock screen displayed in the lock state based on atouch input sensed on the display unit 151.

The power supply 190 provides power required by various components underthe control of the controller 180. The provided power may be internalpower, external power, or combination thereof.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, software, hardware, or somecombination thereof.

For a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may beimplemented within one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits(ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal ProcessingDevices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field ProgrammableGate Arrays (FPGAs), processors, microprocessors, other electronic unitsdesigned to perform the functions described herein, or a selectivecombination thereof. In some cases, such embodiments are implemented bythe controller 180.

For software implementation, the embodiments such as procedures andfunctions may be implemented together with separate software moduleseach of which performs at least one of functions and operations.

The software codes can be implemented with a software applicationwritten in any suitable programming language. Also, the software codesmay be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

Hereinafter, description will be given of a communication systemoperable with the mobile terminal 100 according to the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual views of a communication system operablewith the mobile terminal.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, communication systems utilizedifferent air interfaces and/or physical layers. Examples of such airinterfaces utilized by the communication systems include FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA),Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS), the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of theUMTS, the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and the like.

Hereinafter, further description will relate to a CDMA communicationsystem, but such teachings may be applied equally to other system typesincluding the CDMA wireless communication system.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a CDMA wireless communication system is shownhaving at least one mobile terminal 100, at least one base station (BS)270, at least one base station controller (BSC) 275, and a mobileswitching center (MSC) 280. The MSC 280 is configured to interface witha conventional Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) 290. The MSC 280is also configured to interface with the BSCs 275. The BSCs 275 arecoupled to the base stations 270 via backhaul lines. The backhaul linesmay be configured in accordance with any of several known interfacesincluding, for example, E1/T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL, orxDSL. Hence, the plurality of BSCs 275 can be included in the system asshown in FIG. 3.

Each base station 270 may include one or more sectors, each sectorhaving an omnidirectional antenna or an antenna pointed in a particulardirection radially away from the base station 270. Alternatively, eachsector may include two or more different antennas. Each base station 270may be configured to support a plurality of frequency assignments, witheach frequency assignment having a particular spectrum (e.g., 1.25 MHz,5 MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sector and frequency assignment may be referred toas a CDMA channel. The base station 270 may also be referred to as aBase Station Transceiver Subsystem (BTS). In some cases, the term “basestation” may be used to refer collectively to a BSC 275 and at least onebase station 270. The base stations may also be denoted as “cell sites.”Alternatively, individual sectors of a given base station 270 may bereferred to as cell sites.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, a broadcasting transmitter (BT) 295 maytransmit a broadcast signal to the mobile terminals 100 operating withinthe system. The broadcast receiving module 111 (FIG. 1) is typicallyconfigured inside the mobile terminal 100 to receive broadcast signalstransmitted by the BT 295.

FIG. 3 further depicts several Global Positioning System (GPS)satellites 300. Such satellites 300 facilitate locating the position ofat least one of plural mobile terminals 100. Two satellites are depictedin FIG. 2, but it is understood that useful position information may beobtained with greater or fewer satellites than two satellites. The GPSmodule 115 (FIG. 1) is typically configured to cooperate with thesatellites 300 to obtain desired position information. It is to beappreciated that other types of position detection technology, (i.e.,location technology that may be used in addition to or instead of GPSlocation technology) may alternatively be implemented. If desired, atleast one of the GPS satellites 300 may alternatively or additionally beconfigured to provide satellite DMB transmissions.

During typical operation of the wireless communication system, the basestation 270 receives sets of reverse-link signals from various mobileterminals 100. The mobile terminals 100 are engaging in calls,messaging, and executing other communications. Each reverse-link signalreceived by a given base station 270 is processed within that basestation 270. The resulting data is forwarded to an associated BSC 275.The BSC 275 provides call resource allocation and mobility managementfunctionality including the orchestration of soft handoffs between basestations 270. The BSCs 275 also route the received data to the MSC 280,which then provides additional routing services for interfacing with thePSTN 290. Similarly, the PSTN 290 interfaces with the MSC 280, and theMSC 280 interfaces with the BSCs 275, which in turn control the basestations 270 to transmit sets of forward-link signals to the mobileterminals 100.

Hereinafter, description will be given of a method of acquiring locationinformation related to the mobile terminal using a wireless fidelity(WiFi) positioning system (WPC), with reference to FIG. 2B.

A WiFi positioning system (WPS) 300 refers to a technology ofpositioning the mobile terminal 100 using a WiFi module provided in themobile terminal 100 and wireless access points (AP) 320 for transmittingor receiving wireless signals to or from the WiFi module, namely, awireless local area network (WLAN)-based positioning technology usingWiFi.

The WPS 300 may include a WiFi location determination server 310, amobile terminal 100, wireless APs 320 accessed to the mobile terminal100, and a database 330 for storing random wireless AP information.

The WiFi location determination server 310 may extract informationrelated to the wireless APs 320 accessed to the mobile terminal 100based on a location information request message (or signal) of themobile terminal 100. The information related to the wireless APs 320accessed to the mobile terminal 100 may be transmitted to the WiFilocation determination server 310 via the mobile terminal 100 or to theWiFi location determination server 310 via the wireless APs 320.

The information related to the wireless AP extracted based on thelocation information request message of the mobile terminal 100 may beat least one of MAC address, SSID, RSSI, channel information, privacy,network type, signal strength, and noise strength.

As such, the WiFi location determination server 310 may receive theinformation related to the wireless APs 320 accessed to the mobileterminal 100, compare the received information related to the wirelessAPs 320 with information stored in the pre-constructed database 330, andextract (or analyze) location information related to the mobile terminal100.

Meanwhile, FIG. 2B has exemplarily illustrated that the wireless APsaccessed to the mobile terminal 100 include first, second and thirdwireless APs 320. However, the number of wireless APs accessed to themobile terminal 100 may variously change depending on a wirelesscommunication environment where the mobile terminal 100 exists. The WPS300 may execute positioning of the mobile terminal 100 when the mobileterminal 100 is connected to at least one wireless AP.

Hereinafter, the database 330 which stores random wireless APinformation will be described in more detail. The database 330 may storevarious types of information related to random wireless APs located ondifferent positions.

Examples of the information related to the random wireless APs stored inthe database 330 may include MAC address, SSID, RSSI, channelinformation, privacy, network type, latitude/longitude coordinates ofthe wireless AP, a name of building where the wireless AP is located,the number of floors, detailed indoor location information (GPScoordinates available), an address and a phone number of an AP owner,and the like.

As such, since the database 300 stores the information related to therandom wireless APs and the location information corresponding to therandom wireless APs, the WiFi location determination server 310 maysearch for the wireless AP information corresponding to the informationrelated to the wireless APs 320 accessed to the mobile terminal 100 fromthe database 330, extract the location information matched by thesearched wireless AP information, and acquire location informationrelated to the mobile terminal 100.

The acquired location information related to the mobile terminal 100 maybe transmitted to the mobile terminal 100 through the WiFi locationdetermination server 310. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 mayacquire the location information.

Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, information processed inthe mobile terminal 100 may be displayed using a flexible display.Hereinafter, the flexible display will be described in more detail, withthe accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are conceptual views illustrating a flexible display 151included in the mobile terminal 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a flexible display 151 may include adisplay, which can be bent, curved, folded, or rolled by an externalphysical force applied. Here, the flexible display 151 may include botha general flexible display and an e-paper.

Here, the general flexible display refers to a display which is lightand infrangile by being fabricated on a thin flexible substrate, whichcan be bent, curved, folded or rolled, like a paper, with still havingdisplay characteristics of the conventional flat panel displays.

Also, the e-paper uses a display technology to which characteristics ofgeneral inks are applied. The e-paper may be different from the generalflat panel display in view of using reflected light. The e-paper maychange pictures (drawing) or characters using a twist ball orelectrophoresis using capsules.

In the meantime, the flexible display 151 may include a sensing unit 140(see FIG. 1) thereon. The sensing unit 140 may sense bending-relatedinformation (or bending information) related to the flexible display151. The term ‘bending’ disclosed herein may include meanings of‘curving,’ ‘rolling,’ ‘folding,’ and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may be disposed overall or partially on theflexible display 151, and sense the bending information about theflexible display 151. Here, the bending information of the flexibledisplay 151 may include a direction, a level, a position and a time thatthe flexible display is bent, an acceleration that the flexible displaybent is restored to its original state, and the like. In addition, thebending information may be various information sensible due to theflexible display being bent.

The controller 180 may also change information displayed on the flexibledisplay 151 or generate a control signal for controlling a function ofthe mobile terminal, based on the bending information on the flexibledisplay 151 sensed by the sensing unit 140.

For example, referring to FIGS. 3A-(A) and 3A-(B), when the flexibledisplay 151 is bent by an external physical force, the controller 180may rearrange, divide, combine or change a curve of a screen image,which has been previously displayed on the flexible display 151, basedon the bent direction, the bent angle, and a restoring acceleration tothe original state of the flexible display 151.

As one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3A-(A) and 3A-(B), when theflexible display 151 is bent inwardly by an external physical force, thecontroller 180 may display a screen image displayed on the flexibledisplay 151 to be adjacent to each other. As another embodiment, whenthe flexible display 151 is bent outwardly by an external physicalforce, the controller 180 may display the screen image displayed on theflexible display 151 to be spaced from each other.

Besides, the controller 180 may control the method of displayinginformation on the flexible display 151 in various manners such that auser can accurately recognize the information displayed on the flexibledisplay 151 in response to the flexible display 151 being bent.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the mobile terminal 100 may include a case whichsurrounds the flexible display 151. The case may be configured to bebent together with the flexible display 151 by an external physicalforce, taking in account the characteristic of the flexible display 151.

Meanwhile, as aforementioned, the controller 180 may generate thecontrol signal related to the function of the mobile terminal 100 incorrespondence with the bending information related to the flexibledisplay 151.

As described above, the mobile terminal 100 is evolving into designs ofvarious shapes. Accordingly, the flexible display is getting highlightedin view of a light weight and an infrangible property. The flexibledisplay may derive creation of new user interface areas to which theconventional glass substrate-based displays have been limitedly appliedor unable to be applied. As the flexible display is highlighted, needsof user interfaces using the properties of the flexible display areincreasing.

Hereinafter, description will be given of the mobile terminal 100,capable of improving user convenience in displaying screen informationon a display 151 of the mobile terminal 100, which is worn around auser's wrist, and a control method thereof, with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a mobileterminal 100 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of thisspecification. The mobile terminal 100 may include a display 151 (seeFIG. 1), a sensing unit 140 (see FIG. 1), and a controller 180 (see FIG.1). Here, the display 151 may include a flexible display and other typesof displays.

Referring to FIG. 4, flatness of a wrist and a direction that the wristfaces may be sensed (S110).

A body of the mobile terminal 100 may be implemented into a shape ofsurrounding (covering, being worn on) the wrist using the bendablecharacteristic of the flexible display 151.

The sensing unit 140 may include a flatness sensing sensor which isdisposed on one surface of the display 151 to measure the flatness ofthe wrist in real time or by a preset time interval.

Also, the sensing unit 140 may include a sensor which measures thedirection that the wrist faces in real time or by a preset timeinterval.

As one embodiment of sensing the direction that the wrist faces, thesensing unit 140 may include a motion recognition sensor (not shown).The motion recognition sensor may include at least one of a terrestrialmagnetism sensor, a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor.

The terrestrial sensor may be a sensor which detects a direction and asize of a terrestrial magnetism, and generates an electric signal usingthe detected results. The gyro sensor may be a sensor which detects arotation speed of the main body and generates an electric signal usingthe detected rotation speed. The acceleration sensor may be a sensorwhich measures a direction of gravity acceleration, detects anacceleration variation in one direction, and generates an electricsignal using the measured and detected results.

Accordingly, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether or not the wrist isrotated. That is, the sensing unit 140 may detect displacement inresponse to the rotation of the wrist, namely, a rotation direction anda rotation angle of the wrist, and generate an electric signal using thedetected displacement. By detecting the rotation direction and therotation angle of the wrist, the sensing unit 140 may sense a directionthat the body covering the wrist faces.

As another embodiment of sensing the direction that the wrist faces, thesensing unit 140 may include an eye search element (not shown). The eyesearch element may search for a user's eyes using at least one of acamera sensor 121 (see FIG. 1) and an infrared sensor (not shown). Thecamera sensor may be provided in plurality.

In detail, infrared ray emitted from the infrared sensor may bereflected on the retina of the user's eye within a predetermined viewingrange based on the display 151. The reflected ray may be input into theeye search element. Afterwards, the eye search element may search forthe user's visual field using the input infrared ray or a user imageobtained by the camera sensor 121. Accordingly, the sensing unit 140 maysense at which portion of the display 151 the user is looking.

As another embodiment of sensing the direction that the wrist faces, thesensing unit 140 may include a light sensor (not shown). The lightsensor may sense external light and detect a portion of the display 151that faces the ground.

Afterwards, a display area on which screen information is to bedisplayed on the display 151 may be selected based on the sensedflatness of the wrist and the direction that the wrist faces (S120).

The controller 180 may select the display area for displaying the screeninformation on the display 151 by considering both the sensed flatnessof the wrist and the direction that the wrist faces. In detail, thecontroller 180 may change a position, a size and a shape of the displayarea for displaying the screen information.

In addition, when a movement of the wrist is sensed after the screeninformation is displayed on the display area, the controller 180 maychange the display area for displaying the screen information on thedisplay 151 by considering both the flatness of the wrist and thedirection that the wrist faces, which are newly sensed by the sensingunit 140.

Also, the controller 180 may control the display 151 to change thedisplay direction of the screen information displayed on the displayarea according to the direction that the wrist faces. Accordingly, thecontroller 180 may display the screen information in a portrait type ora landscape type according to the direction that the wrist faces.

As described above, the mobile terminal 100 according to the oneexemplary embodiment may decide the display area for displaying thescreen information on the display 151 based on the flatness of thewrist. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 may display the screeninformation on the flat portion of the display 151, thereby reducingdistortion of the screen information.

Also, the mobile terminal 100 according to the another exemplaryembodiment may decide the display area for displaying the screeninformation on the display 151 based on the direction that the wristfaces. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 may display the screeninformation on the portion that the user faces on the display 151 byconsidering the user's eyes. This may result in improvement of userconvenience.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation that thedisplay area to display the screen information changes according to thedirection that the wrist faces. FIG. 6 is a conceptual view illustratingan exemplary operation that the display direction of the screeninformation changes according to the direction of the wrist faces.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 6A, the controller 180 may select adisplay area 251 on which screen information is to be displayed on thedisplay 151 based on the flatness of the wrist and the direction thatthe wrist faces, both sensed by the sensing unit 140. In detail, thecontroller 180 may select a position, a size and a shape of the displayarea 251. Accordingly, a flat portion of the display 151 within theviewing range of the user's eyes may be decided as the display area 251.

For example, as illustrated, in a state that a lower side of the wristfaces the ground, a flat portion of an upper side of the wrist may bedecided as the display area 251. The controller 180 may display screeninformation 261 on the decided display area 251. Here, the screeninformation 261 may indicate every information displayed on at leastpartial area of the display 151.

Here, referring to FIG. 5B, when a movement of the wrist is sensed, thecontroller 180 may change the display area 251 for displaying the screeninformation 261 on the display 151 based on the flatness of the wristand the direction that the wrist faces, newly sensed by the sensing unit140.

For example, as illustrated, when a right side of the wrist faces theground in response to the movement of the wrist, the flat portion withina left side of the wrist may be newly decided as the display area 251.Accordingly, the controller 180 may display the screen information 261on the newly decided display area 251.

Referring to FIG. 6B, when the direction that the wrist faces has beenchanged in response to the movement of the wrist sensed, the controller180 may change the display direction of the screen information 261displayed on the display 151 based on the newly sensed direction thatthe wrist faces.

For example, as illustrated, when the wrist is rotated by a preset angle(for example, 90°), the controller 180 may rotate the display directionof the screen information 261 by the preset angle (for example, 90°).Accordingly, the controller 180 may change the display direction of thescreen information 261 to face the ground.

Although not shown, the controller 180 may recognize the user's eyes todetect a viewing direction and a viewing angle of the user's eyes.Afterwards, the controller 180 may change the display direction of thescreen information 261 based on the detected information. Accordingly,the screen information 261 may be displayed in a diagonal shape.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of thedisplay 151 when a touch input is sensed on a status display bar 264displayed on the display 151.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the display 151 may display a status displaybar. The status display bar may also be referred to as a status bar 264,and refer to a message line that indicate a current operation status ofthe mobile terminal 100.

The controller 180 may display first screen information 261 on a firstdisplay area 251. The controller 180 may display the statue bar 264 onone side surface of the first display area 251 in a fixed state. Asillustrated, the status bar 264 may be displayed on an upper side of thefirst display area 251.

If another display area has been set in addition to the first displayarea 251 where the first screen information 261 is displayed, the statusbar 264 may be continuously displayed only on one side of the firstdisplay area 251. For example, when a second display area 252 is set onone area adjacent to the first display area 251 and second screeninformation 262 is displayed on the second display area 252, the statusbar 264 may be continuously displayed on one side of the first displayarea 251 without being displayed on the second display area 252.

Referring to FIG. 7B, when a touch input is sensed on the status bar264, the controller 180 may display the second screen information 262related to the status bar 264 on the first screen region 251. Here, thesecond screen information 262 may refer to screen information indicatinga current operation status of the mobile terminal 100 in detail.

Simultaneously, the controller 180 may select one area adjacent to thefirst display area 251 as the second display area 252. The controller180 may then display the first screen information 261, which has beendisplayed on the first display area 251, on the second display area 252.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation that anoperation involved with screen information is controlled according tothe movement of the wrist.

The controller 180 may control an operation involved with the firstscreen information 261 displayed on the first display area 251, inresponse to the movement of the wrist sensed by the sensing unit 140.

For example, referring to FIG. 8A, the controller 180 may display thefirst screen information 261 on the first display area 251. Here, thefirst screen information 261 may include an execution screen of a musicplayer application. As illustrated, the controller 180 may display aplayback screen 261 for a currently played music (for example, a firstmusic) on the first display area 251.

Here, referring to FIGS. 8B and 8C, when the wrist is rotated by apreset angle in a preset direction (for example, a first direction) andthereafter rotated back, the controller 180 may playback a second music,which is the following music of the currently played first music in aplayback list. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 8C, the controller 180 maydisplay a playback screen 261′ for the second music on the first displayarea 251.

As such, the controller 180 may control an operation involved with thefirst screen information 261 displayed on the first display areaaccording to the rotation direction of the wrist. That is, thecontroller 180 may decide whether to playback a previous music or thenext music of the currently played music according to the direction thatthe wrist is rotated. Similarly, although not shown, in a state that avideo playback screen is displayed on the first display area 251, thecontroller 180 may decide whether to playback a previous video or thenext video of a currently played video according to the direction thatthe wrist is rotated.

As another example, although not shown, when an image is displayed onthe first display area 251, the controller 180 may decide whether todelete the image or enter a folder including the image according to thedirection that the wrist is rotated.

Also, when a webpage is displayed on the first display area 251, thecontroller 180 may decide whether to display a previous page or the nextpage of the currently displayed webpage according to the direction thatthe wrist is rotated.

When a call signal reception screen is displayed on the first displayarea 251, the controller 180 may decide whether to receive a call signalor deny the reception of the call signal according to the direction thatthe wrist is rotated.

When the first screen information 261 is displayed on the first displayarea 251 and a section is selected from the first screen information261, the controller 180 may decide whether to copy or crop the selectedsection according to the direction that the wrist is rotated.

In addition, the controller 180 may control the operation associatedwith the first screen information 261 displayed on the first displayarea 251 according to a rotation angle of the wrist. Here, the display151 may display an image object indicating the rotation angle of thewrist.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation that adisplay area to display screen information changes according to a touchinput onto the display 151.

The controller 180 may select a touch point as a display area based on atouch input sensed on the display 151. When a plurality of touch inputsare sensed on a plurality of points of the display 151, the controller180 may select the plurality of touch points as a plurality of displayareas. The controller 180 may display the same screen information on theplurality of display areas.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the controller 180 may display first screeninformation 261 on a first display area 251. Here, when a plurality oftouch inputs (hereinafter, referred to as ‘first and second touchinputs’) are sensed on a plurality of points (hereinafter, referred toas ‘first and second points’), referring to FIG. 9B, the controller 180may select the first point of the first display area 251, to which thefirst touch input has been applied, as the first display area 251 anddisplay the first screen information 261 on the first display area 251.

Referring to FIG. 9C, the controller 180 may select the second point ofthe display 151, to which the second touch input has been applied, as asecond display area 252, and display the first screen information 261 onthe second display area 252.

As described, the same screen information may be displayed on theplurality of touch points of the display 151, which may allow the userto share the same screen information with another party.

FIGS. 10 to 12 are conceptual views illustrating an exemplary operationof the display 151 when a touch input is sensed on the display 151during multitasking.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the controller 180 may display the firstscreen information 261 on the first display area 251. The first screeninformation 261 may include a home screen.

In accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,the mobile terminal 100 may execute a multitasking function. The term‘multitasking’ disclosed herein refers to simultaneously executing aplurality of applications. The plurality of applications may beapplications which are linked to one another or independent of oneanother. That is, the multitasking is not limited to accompanying withor compensating for one application but refers to simultaneouslyexecuting several independent applications which have the same level.Here, the application indicates one of various additional functions,such as an Online service, a message function, a call function, a camerafunction, a playback of video or music files, and the like.

For example, the term ‘being executed’ or ‘being performed’ refers to astate before an application is terminated after the application isexecuted. The term ‘activation’ of an application refers to a state thatan application which is being executed is displayed on a foregroundother than a background of the display. On the other hand, the term‘deactivation’ of an application refers to a state that an applicationwhich is being executed is displayed on the background other than theforeground of the display.

Referring back to FIG. 10A, the controller 180 may display the firstscreen information 261 including a home screen on the first display area251. Although not shown, the controller 180 may display on the firstdisplay area 251 the first screen information 261, which includes anexecution screen of an application, which is being executed on theforeground, while a plurality of applications are multitasked.

Here, when a touch input (for example, a pinch-in input) is sensed onthe display 151, although not shown, the controller 180 may provide aneffect, which each execution screen of the plurality of applicationsbeing currently executed is overlaid on the rear of an execution screenof the application executed on the foreground, for a preset time.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the controller 180 may select a plurality ofareas adjacent to the first display area 251 as a plurality of differentdisplay areas (hereinafter, referred to as ‘second and third displayareas’) 252 and 253. The controller 180 may display a plurality ofscreen information (hereinafter, referred to as ‘second and third screeninformation’) 262 and 263, which include execution screens of aplurality of applications being executed on the background,respectively, on the second and third display areas 252 and 253.

Referring to FIG. 11A, as aforementioned, the controller 180 may displaythe first to third screen information 261 to 263 on the first to thirddisplay areas 251 to 253.

Referring to FIGS. 11B and 11C, the controller 180 may switch the screeninformation displayed on the first to third display areas 251 to 253 inresponse to the movement of the wrist sensed by the sensing unit 140.Although not shown, the controller 180 may swap two screen informationdisplayed on two display areas with each other.

Referring to FIGS. 11B and 11C, when the wrist is rotated by a presetangle in a preset direction (for example, a first direction) and thenrotated back, the controller 180 may display the second screeninformation 262 on the first display area 251 and the first screeninformation 261 on the third display area 253. Also, the controller 180may terminate the displaying of the screen information on the seconddisplay area 252.

Referring to FIG. 12A, the controller 180 may display the first to thirdscreen information 261 to 263 on the first to third display areas 251 to253. Here, referring to FIG. 12B, the controller 180 may terminate thedisplaying of screen information on at least one of the first to thirddisplay areas 251 to 253 based on a touch input sensed on the display151.

In detail, referring to FIG. 12A, when a preset touch input (forexample, a drag input) is sensed on one (for example, the third displayarea 253) of the first to third display areas 251 to 253, the controller180, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, may terminate the displaying of thethird screen information 263 on the third display area 253 on which thetouch input has been sensed.

In addition to this, although not shown, the controller 180 mayterminate an execution of an application which has been executed on thethird display area 253.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of thedisplay 151 when a touch input is sensed on the display 151 in a statethat a plurality of images are displayed.

As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the controller 180 may display the firstscreen information 261 on the first display area 251. Here, the firstscreen information 261 may include a plurality of images (hereinafter,referred to as ‘first to fourth images’) 265 a to 265 d.

Here, when a preset touch input (for example, pinch-in input) is sensedon one of the first to fourth images 265 a to 265 d, as illustrated inFIG. 13B, the controller 180 may select a plurality of areas(hereinafter, referred to as ‘first to fourth display areas’) 251 to 254including the first display area 251, and display the first to fourthimages 265 a to 265 d on the first to fourth display areas 251 to 254.

In detail, the controller 180 may display an enlarged image 266 b of theimage 265 b, on which the touch input has been sensed, on the firstscreen region 251. In addition, the controller 180 may display enlargedimages 266 b to 266 d of the second to fourth images 265 b to 265 d onthe second to fourth display areas 252 to 254 based on sequenceinformation related to the first to fourth images 265 a to 265 d beingarranged in FIG. 13A.

Although not shown, even when a user detaches the body of the mobileterminal 100 from the wrist, the controller 180 may continuously displaythe first to fourth images 265 a to 265 d on the first to fourth displayareas 251 to 254.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of thedisplay 151 when a touch input is sensed on an icon displayed on thedisplay 151.

As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the controller 180 may display the firstscreen information 261 on the first display area 251. Here, the firstscreen information 261 may include at least one icon corresponding to atleast one application. As illustrated, the first screen information 261may include a home screen including a plurality of icons.

Here, when one (for example, an icon corresponding to a music playerapplication) 268 of the plurality of icons is selected, as illustratedin FIG. 14B, the controller 180 may select one area adjacent to thefirst display area 251 as a second display area 252. The controller 190may then display the second screen information 262, which includes anexecution screen of the music player application corresponding to theselected icon 268, on the second display area 252.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual view illustrating an exemplary operation of thedisplay 151 when a touch input is sensed on a contact item displayed onthe display 151.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A, the controller 180 may display first screeninformation 261 on a first display area 251. Here, the first screeninformation 261 may include a contact information list including contactitems.

Here, when a preset touch input (for example, a drag input from up todown) is sensed on one 269 of the contact items, as illustrated in FIG.15B, the controller 180 may select as the second display area 252 onearea, which is located in the dragging direction (i.e., the downwarddirection) among areas adjacent to the first display area 251. Thecontroller 180 may display a shortcut icon 270 corresponding to theselected contact item on the second display area 252.

Although not shown, when a drag input from down to up is sensed on theone 269 of the contact items, the controller 180 may select as thesecond display area 252 one area, located in the dragging direction(i.e., upward direction) among areas adjacent to the first display area251.

FIGS. 16 to 18 are conceptual views illustrating an exemplary operationof the display 151 when an event is generated.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 17A, the controller 180 may display firstscreen information 261 on a first display area 251. Here, the firstscreen information 261 may include an execution screen of a music playerapplication.

Here, when an event involved with an application which is being executedon a background is generated, the controller 180 may display a pop-upwindow 271, which indicates the generation of the event, on the firstscreen information 261.

Referring to FIGS. 16B and 17B, when the wrist is rotated by a presetangle (for example, a first angle) in a preset direction (for example, afirst direction), the controller 180 may select a second display area252 based on flatness of the wrist and a direction that the wrist faces,which have newly been sensed. The controller 180 may display secondscreen information 262, which includes information related to thegenerated event, on the second display area 252. As illustrated, messageinformation received may be fully displayed on the second display area252 or preview information related to the received message informationmay be displayed on the second display area 252. Here, the first screeninformation 251 may be continuously displayed on the first display area251.

Afterwards, when a preset touch input is sensed on the second displayarea 252 and the wrist is rotated back to the original direction, asillustrated in FIG. 16C, the controller 180 may display the secondscreen information 262 on the first display area 251. In addition tothis, the controller 180 may display the first screen information 261,which has been displayed on the first display area 251, on a thirddisplay area 253 as a new display area.

Meanwhile, when the wrist is rotated back to the original directionwithout a touch input sensed on the second display area 252, asillustrated in FIG. 17C, the controller 180 may restore displaying ofscreen information. Accordingly, the controller 180 may continuouslydisplay the first screen information 261 on the first display area 251and terminate the displaying of the second screen information 262 on thesecond display area 252.

Referring to FIG. 18A, the controller 180 may display the first screeninformation 261, which includes an execution screen of a music playerapplication, on the first display area 251. Here, when an event, whichis involved with an application being executed on a background, isgenerated, the controller 180 may display a pop-up window 271, whichindicates the generation of the event, on the first screen information261.

Referring to FIG. 18B, when the wrist is rotated in an oppositedirection, the controller 180 may select the second display area 252 onan opposite side of the wrist based on flatness of the wrist and thedirection that the wrist faces, which have been newly sensed. Thecontroller 180 may display the second screen information 262, whichincludes the information related to the generated event, on the seconddisplay area 252.

Although not shown, the first screen information 261 may be continuouslydisplayed on the first display area 251. Also, the playbacking of themusic player application being executed on the first display area 251may be paused.

Afterwards, referring to FIG. 18C, when the wrist is rotated back to theoriginal direction, the controller 180 may playback again the musicplayer application, which has been paused, on the first display area251. Although not shown, the controller 180 may terminate the displayingof the second screen information 262 on the second display area 252.

As described above, a mobile terminal in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment may decide a display area for displaying screen informationon a display based on flatness of a wrist. Accordingly, the mobileterminal can display screen information on a flat portion of thedisplay, reducing distortion of the screen information.

Also, a mobile terminal in accordance with another exemplary embodimentmay decide a display area for displaying screen information on a displaybased on a direction that a wrist faces. Accordingly, the mobileterminal can display screen information on a portion of the displayviewed by a user's eyes, taking into account the user's eyes, resultingin improvement of user convenience.

Further, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure,the method can be implemented as computer-readable codes in aprogram-recorded medium. The computer-readable medium may include alltypes of recording devices each storing data readable by a computersystem. Examples of such computer-readable media may include ROM, RAM,CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage element and thelike. Also, the computer-readable medium may also be implemented as aformat of carrier wave (e.g., transmission via an Internet).

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The presentteachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Thisdescription is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scopeof the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods,and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described hereinmay be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternativeexemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

1. A mobile terminal comprising: a main body covering at least one areaof a wrist; a display disposed on a front surface of the main body; asensing unit configured to sense flatness of the wrist and a directionthat the wrist faces; and a controller configured to select a displayarea for displaying screen information on the display based on theflatness of the wrist and the direction that the wrist faces, sensed bythe sensing unit.
 2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the displaycomprises a flexible display capable of being curved to cover the atleast one area of the wrist.
 3. The terminal of claim 2, wherein thesensing unit comprises a flatness sensing sensor disposed on one surfaceof the display, the flatness sensing sensor measuring the flatness ofthe wrist by a preset time interval.
 4. The terminal of claim 3, whereinthe sensing unit comprises at least one of a terrestrial magnetismsensor, a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor configured to measurethe direction that the wrist faces by the preset time interval, andwherein the controller controls the display to change the display areafor displaying the screen information on the display according to thedirection that the wrist faces.
 5. The terminal of claim 4, wherein thecontroller controls the display to change a display direction of thescreen information displayed on the display area according to thedirection that the wrist faces.
 6. The terminal of claim 3, wherein thesensing unit comprises a plurality of camera sensors disposed ondifferent positions of the display, and wherein the controller controlsthe display to change the display area for displaying the screeninformation on the display based on a user's eyes, sensed by the camerasensors.
 7. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller changes thedisplay area for displaying the screen information on the display basedon the flatness of the wrist and the direction that the wrist faces,sensed by the sensing unit, when a movement of the wrist is sensed. 8.The terminal of claim 7, wherein the controller changes a position, asize and a shape of the display area for displaying the screeninformation.
 9. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the display outputs astatus bar for displaying a current work status, and wherein thecontroller displays the status bar on one side of the display area in afixed state.
 10. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the display outputsfirst screen information including the status bar on a first displayarea, selected based on the flatness of the wrist and the direction thatthe wrist faces, wherein the controller displays second screeninformation related to the status bar on the first display area when atouch input is sensed on the status bar, and wherein the controllerselects one area adjacent to the first display area as a second displayarea, and displays the first screen information on the second displayarea.
 11. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the controller controls anoperation involved with the first screen information displayed on thefirst display area, in response to a movement of the wrist sensed by thesensing unit.
 12. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the controllerselects a touch point as a display area based on a touch input sensed onthe display.
 13. The terminal of claim 12, wherein the controllerselects a plurality of touch points as a plurality of display areas whena plurality of touch inputs are sensed on the display, and wherein thecontroller displays the same screen information on the plurality ofdisplay areas.
 14. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the display outputsan execution screen of an application, which is being executed on aforeground, on the first display area while a plurality of applicationsare multitasked, and wherein the controller selects one area adjacent tothe first display area as a second display area based on a touch inputsensed on the display, and displays an execution screen of anapplication, which is being executed on a background, on the seconddisplay area.
 15. The terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller swapsthe screen information displayed on the first and second display areaswith each other, in response to a movement of the wrist sensed by thesensing unit.
 16. The terminal of claim 15, wherein the controllerterminates the displaying of the screen information on at least one ofthe first and second display areas, based a touch input sensed on thedisplay.
 17. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the display outputs aplurality of images on the first display area, and wherein thecontroller selects a plurality of areas including the first displayarea, based on a touch input sensed on the display, and displays theplurality of images on the plurality of display areas.
 18. The terminalof claim 10, wherein the display outputs screen information including atleast one icon on the first display area, the at least one iconcorresponding to at least one application, and wherein the controllerselects one area adjacent to the first display area as a second displayarea when one of the at least one icons is selected, and displays anexecution screen of an application corresponding to the selected icon onthe second display area.
 19. The terminal of claim 10, wherein thedisplay outputs a contact information list including contact items onthe first display area, and wherein the controller selects one areaadjacent to the first display area as a second display area based on atouch input sensed on one of the contact items, and displays a shortcutmenu corresponding to the touched contact item on the second displayarea.
 20. A control method for a mobile terminal, in a control methodfor a mobile terminal comprising a main body to cover at least one areaof a wrist, and a display disposed on a front surface of the main body,the method comprising: sensing flatness of the wrist and a directionthat the wrist faces; and selecting a display area for displaying screeninformation on the display based on the flatness of the wrist and thedirection that the wrist faces sensed.